Large plumes of smoke have been seen coming from the industrial park this afternoon.

Shops and businesses were evacuated after two cars were destroyed in a fire that filled the sky black smoke which could be seen across the borough.

Emergency services were called to Northgate Industrial Park this afternoon. Photo: Harvey Singh

About 40 firefighters and six fire engines were called to Northgate Industrial Park next to the City Pavilion bowling alley, Collier Row, about 1pm on Monday, January 28 where two cars and four storage containers were alight.

Two cars and four containers were completley destroyed by the fire at Northgate Industrial Park. Photo: Ken Mears

A London Fire Brigade spokesman later said the cause of the blaze was believed to have been embers from a paper incinerator spreading to stored items such as cardboard and car parts.

Firefighters and emergency services were called to the blaze in Collier Row. Photo: Harvey Singh

Harvey Singh, a driving instructor who was practising manoeuvres with a learner in the car park next to the industrial park, said he saw the smoke and ran into City Pavilion, setting off fire alarms and telling staff they had to leave.

Firefighters and emergency services were called to the blaze in Collier Row. Photo: Harvey Singh

He told the Recorder: “There was smoke everywhere, I was in the middle of the lesson and we drove out immediately, but I had to go and tell staff at the bowling alley to get out too.

Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze in Collier Row. Photo: @Conservative_JA

“The fire was spreading really quickly, and there were cars in the car park, so it could have got out of hand really quickly.

Two cars and four containers were completley destroyed by the fire at Northgate Industrial Park. Photo: Ken Mears

“The whole sky was filled with smoke.

Two cars and four containers were completley destroyed by the fire at Northgate Industrial Park. Photo: Ken Mears

“Staff weren’t doing anything and they thought it was a drill, so I had to tell them to leave!

“There’s lots of dry forest between the car park and the industrial estate and it was spreading so quickly.”

Video from the scene shows the bowling alley completely engulfed in thick black smoke, as the blaze spread towards the car park, however it was fortunately put out by firefighters before it reached City Pavilion.

Residents said they could see the smoke from as far away as Romford and Upminster, with one commenting they saw it while standing outside Queen’s Hospital – four miles away.

Fire crews from Dagenham, Romford and Hainault were called to the scene, and the fire was put out shortly after 3pm.